The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has refuted media reports claiming the dismissal of all assistant coaches across the national teams.
The recent approval by the Federation for the return of Bankole Olowookere, the Women's U17 national team head coach and his backroom staff, contradicts such reports.
No coaches sacked, says NFF
Additionally, Christopher Danjuma and his assistants remain in charge of the Women's U20 team, the Falconets.
Sources within the Federation told afrik-foot.com that announcements regarding coaches for the youth cadres will follow, adhering to the customary practice where coaches operate on a ‘tournament' contract basis.
This dispels any notion of mass sackings, as coaches are aware of the contractual structure.
Allowances, not salaries for assistant coaches – NFF
The Federation addressed the misconception surrounding the salaries of assistant coaches in the national team, emphasizing that no dismissals have taken place.
The focal point of contention lies in the existing policy, wherein head coaches are salaried, while assistant coaches receive allowances and match bonuses exclusively during active national team engagements.
In a statement released on Friday, the Federation categorically stated, “The Federation's attention has been drawn to misleading reports in a section of the media that all assistant coaches of the national teams have been sacked. This is incorrect,” the federation said in a statement on Friday.
“The Board has done no more than re-enforce an existing policy whereby only Head Coaches of the various teams are salaried, while Assistant Coaches are engaged elsewhere and only earn invitational allowances and match bonuses when they come for national assignments.”
Last week, the Nigerian government allocated funds for the settlement of outstanding salaries, bonuses, and allowances for officials and players across the various national teams of Nigeria, reflecting the commitment to the welfare of those involved in football at the national level.
